Off to see BAD SHABBOS. A comedy is what we need. Luckily the theater near me is still trying to have some alternative films. Because everything else is for kids or action movies.
I broke down and ordered Peacock. Decided I wanted to see POKER FACE enough to be worth it. A few other shows too.
The first three episodes of THE BEAR were not so hot but I liked 4 although I am betting most viewers don't.
Still wading through THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. I am just not a fantasy reader to my detriment, I am sure. It's popular with many readers, I understand.
What do people who live in Manhattan do for the fourth of July. I mean Central Park is huge but can you barbecue there? Although it's been a long time since I had anything barbecued.
What's up with you guys?
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I agree on POKER FACE, a show we're enjoying way more than I expected to (don't ask me why). There is a definite The Fugitive feel as she moves from place to place to stay ahead of Benjamin Bratt. I like the way they do the plot, leisurely, then go back and show the scenes again from a different angle, with her in it. I've always liked Lyonne, though the second series of RUSSIAN DOLL lost me. I like the way they let each episode take its own course, so some are 20 minutes longer or shorter as needed.
As for Peacock, we're also enjoying WOLF LIKE ME. I like Isla Fisher a lot.
We had a Netflix night yesterday, finishing the last two episodes of DEPT. Q. 9 was too many, 6 or 8 would have been better, but it finished well. FAMILIES LIKE OURS (Denmark), on the other hand, is getting more ridiculous each episode, as the characters' idiotic behavior gets worse and, yes, stupider. We'll finish the last two episodes but I'm not expecting a lot. We did finish GIRLS5EVA the other day. So far we're enjoying the Norwegian PERNILLE. She's a divorced, middle aged social worker raising two annoying teenage daughters and her nephew, after her sister was killed in a car accident. Lastly (on Netflix) is THE SURVIVORS, based on the 2020 book by Jane Harper. I read the book when it came out, and as far as I can remember it, the series is pretty faithful to it so far (3 of 6 episodes). In Tasmania (again), a tragic accident during a huge storm 15 years earlier took two lives. Now Keiran Elliott has returned to Evelyn Bay, where his mother still blames him for his brother's death, and where his father has Alzheimers. Meanwhile, no one wants to talk about Gabby Birch, the 15 year old who disappeared the day of the storm, whose body (assuming she died) has never been found.
We have one last episode of SPOOKS (MI-5) to go, then will replace it with NEW TRICKS in our Saturday night Brit Night lineup. We're enjoying DEATH VALLEY (Britbox) and ART DETECTIVES (Acorn). Saw the last episode of series 14 of SILENT WITNESS and it was a lot better than the previous one, which was set in Budapest. This one was about a shooting at the Dutch Embassy in London.
Next Monday we leave for a week in Connecticut with my cousins, which should be fun and relaxing. She always plans lunch and dinner reservations, she and Jackie get to gamble and shop at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, and we get in plenty of ice cream.
No exciting reads this week, mostly short stories (Pronzini and Andrea Barrett), Andrea Barrett's DUST AND LIGHT, a new S.S. Van Dine collection from Crippen & Landru that has various true crime pieces he wrote, as well as short stories he wrote under another pseudonym, plus the latest Sean Duffy mystery by Adrian McKinty.
Well, we survived New Mexico and had a great time. We wisely broke the road trip off just before Dallas each way -- making it through Dallas in the early hours of the morning is much better than during evening rush hour traffic. We left at 0-Dark-Hundred on Sunday morning and did not listen to the car radio, so when we got to the hotel that evening were surprised to hear that Trump bombed Iran; his initial gloating that he completely devastated Iran's nuclear capability was very off-putting and most likely false. (Despite his claims of total devastation, it appears the strike set Irn's nucklear program back a few months at most; if true, this will damage America's military reputation, while also exposing Trump as the military buffon he is. **sigh** Arrived late Monday afternoon and was able to take Mark out to dinner.
Tuesday, we went to the aquarium. On the way there, a roadrunner ran across the road in from of Christina (which impressed her), but it was not followed by a coyote (which disappointed me). The aquarium is pretty small compared to others we have been to, but still impressive. I could spend all day at any aquarium lost in the variety of life. Albuquerque's aquarium is partnered with botanical gardens, an insect exhibit, a 1930's-era farm, and a rather nifty madel railroad exhibit. I loved the botanical gardens (although most of the species were not identified) and found them even more fscinating than the aquarium. The insect exhibit was fascinating but it had a lot of spiders and tarantulas (hate 'em, hate'em, hate 'em) and not a flamethrower in sight. The 1930's farm was at the far end of the property and we were too exhausted to fully appreciate it. (I grew up on a 1950's farm, so the exhibit brought back some memories.) The model railroad exhibit covered several acres and was pretty nifty.
Wednesday took us to the Sandia Mountains on the eastern side of Albuquerque. (The western side of the city has three small excinst volcanoes.) "Sandia" is Spanish for "watermelon"; for some reason, nobody says, "I'm going to climb Mount Watermelon." The highest point is a bit more than 10,600 feet tall, so that was where we headed. The was a long and winding 13-mile road that snaked around the edge of the mountain and it took us almost an hour to traverse that to the top, where there was a hiking path along the sheer drop-off at the mountain's edge. Several deer watched us as the car climbed uphill. I opted to stay in the parking lot, keeping my extreme acrophobia company while Christina, Mark, and Jack foolhardedly trapsed on; Jack found an unusual paw print that we have not yet been able to identify; he is hoping that it will prove to be from a chupucabra (dream on, Jack).
Following our Watermelon mountain advanture, we explored Albuquerque's Old Town for a bit and checked out the Rattlesnake Museum, which eventually holds the largest exhibit of line rattlesnakes in the world. It was kind of neat. Both my mother and Kitty's father were deathly afraid of any type of snake and I could not help but think of them as we toured the place.
Thursday, our last day there, were visited Mark's zoo and had some special behind-the-scenes tours. We stood next to Mark as he hand-fed fish to the Gentoo penguins; we blew bubbles for them to pay with and had them chase a red laser dot, but they kept getting distracted by Mark and the fish, which were of greater importance to them. Mark then went into the public exhibit area and tossed a bucket of krill into the water so visitors would watch them dive for it. Young kids waatching this are always very impressed with Mark -- as they should be.
More to come.
Another hot week in Western NY. Today, we're supposed to hit 90 degrees...again. Diane and I saw BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL (my review will be up on my blog tomorrow).
We're sick about the BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL. Transferring trillions from the American poor to the Rich is scandalous.
Our 10-year-old GE dehumidifier died so I ordered a new Frigidaire dehumidifier. HOME DEPOT called us yesterday to tell us it arrived. Diane and I picked it up and I'll read the instructions--it's Wi-Fi controlled!--and install it. It's always something...
You get a Gold Star for helping Megan! What a great Mom you are! Stay safe!
Still at the zoo.
We went behind the scenes at the reptile exhibit. Saw the supply of anti-venom serum they had (about $75,000 worth), which covers every type of venom at the zoo. Since Mark has been working there, they thankfully had no need to use any of it. We hand-fed a monitor lizard (carefully, using prongs; we did not want to lose any fingers). We also tossed "alligator biscuits" (little treats tha resembled dried dog turds, but the gators love them and there's no accounting for taste) to the two alligators not on public exhibit. Not too sure what was in those biscuits, but immediately after gobbling them, the two alligators (a male and a female -- nothing strange here) began to mate. Jack was either too polite, too embarassed, or too young to know what was going on. We also got to meet Big Boy, a 100-year-old-plus, 500-pound tortoise who loved it when we scratched his neck. All in all, a great day, topped off by a delicious meal at a Mexican restaurant.
The drive home was long and tiring, with many delays in Mississippi and Alabama, and white-out rain storms outside Mobile.
Sunday was a congratulatory party for Jessie, who graduate from college this week after a delay of some thirty years. She had left school when she married Michael and had kids; after Michael died suddenly, she concentrated on work and the girls, and only lately was able continue college one class at a time. The fact that she was able to get her degree after so much time and hardship is impressive. I am brimming with pride for her. We had a taco bar for her party and followed with some crafting -- we ( and when I say "we," I mean 'they" because I just watched and kibbitzed) made a large batch of various pipe cleaner flowers, some more impressive than others.
While we were in New Mexicao, Walt was in the D.C. area for a long work trip. He's due back on Wednesday, and should be home long enought to change his clothes, and immediately drive with Christina and Jack to Virginia to spend some time with his parents. Walt Senior has had some health problems and Walt and Christina will try once again (unsuccessfully, I'm sure0 to talk them into moving down here where we can keep a closer eye on them. Trey was also out of town this past week, leaving Erin alone to take charge of all the animals; she did a good job and not a single animal died.
Amy is out of a job. The veterinary prctice where she works is in the process of being sold; work proceudres are being changed to increase profit, staff and some of the doctors are bailing, hours are being cut back, and the people now in charge are mean-spirited. So Amy quit. Word got out that Amy is out of a job and several people working for the county have suggested (actually, urged) that she apply for jobs that are opening up; Amy has worked for the County before, and her supervisors and co-workers were all very impressed with her. With luck, she will soon have a new job at the County with a large increase in pay. (Fingers crossed.) Meanwhile, plans are going apace for Caylee's wedding at the end of July.
My television service was down for a couple of weeks and I just got it back last night, so I will have a number of things to catch up with, Reading over the past couple of weeks has been slight -- I did not get to read much while in New Mexico. Books read include Michael Crichton's early thriller THE TERMINAL MAN, as well as his posthumous thriller (with James Patterson), ERUPTION. Also read two books by James Lee Burke, FEAST DAY OF FOOLS and THE JEALOUS KIND, both in his Holland Family saga. Charles Ardai's collection DEATH COMES TOO LATE includes twenty short stories to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Hard Case Crime. I did not read, but listened to, M. J. Wassmer's ZERO STARS, DO NOT RECOMMEND, a science fiction-y, apocalyptic satire, on the trip to New Mexico.
Here's hoping you have a rip-snortin' Fourth, Patti. Stay safe.
George, good to see you (like Jackie) are continuing to stimulate the economy, despite Trump. She bought me a new 10,000 BTU air conditioner for the den. Unfortunately, it did NOT arrive Tuesday (our 100 degree day) as promised, but it came Wednesday morning (though Fed Ex left it in the lobby and didn't even ring the doorbell to let us know it was here!) and the assistant super installed it for us in a few minutes.
I'm glad you had a good experience at the theatre, Patti. You're right that we need comedy right now. And you know, I've been wondering about getting Peacock, too. I may have to really think about that.
Jerry's visit to the small aquarium reminds me of the very small Waikiki Aquarium, which I would visit on occasion and most often look closely at the nautiluses/nautili in their tank...they would appear to be staring at the all the apes around them, somehow soulfully. Given how intelligent some of their cousins (not least octopi) are, one did tend to wonder what if any thoughts we might've inspired in them, aside, perhaps, aside from You're bringing dinner?
My father worked on his uncle's farm for a couple/few summers when young, and for some reason (hiding?) took a nap in a hayloft one afternoon, only to awaken with a swarm of small, biting spiders all over him. His fondness for the arachnids generally as a result was rather similar to your own, Jerry.
How was BAD SHABBOS? I like the cast, and the premise seems like it could easily be a Lot of amusing kvetching.
Over the last day or two, I've been catching up on "Philomena Cunk" programming that I'd seen only an episode or two or none of before, and enjoying it considerably. Diane Morgan and her interview subjects consistently do a fine job.
And I'll put another bad word in here for Lenovo computers...I'm currently using Alice's expensive model, and it, like the cheaper ones I use, likes to jump back and erase text you've just written if you don't watch it, for no obvious reason...one doesn't even have to hit return for this useless "service"...keeps one awake, however...
So sorry to be so late. I had a hard time waking up this morning and motivating myself. We have had lovely cool weather, today the high will be 64 degrees, although with the sun it seems 10 degrees higher.
I agree that POKER FACE is worth getting Peacock. We have also been watching THE IRRATIONAL with Jess L. Martin on Peacock, and previously watched THE ARK, a space opera drama. And even though we have all 12 episodes of MURDER SHE WROTE on disc, we have been watching it on Peacock.
I don't get along with fantasy books as well as I do science fiction. I asked my son, he does not have THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE. I read a small bit of the sample at Amazon and it did not appeal, but maybe I will try it one day.
I was just reading about Central Park in THE BURGESS BOYS by Elizabeth Strout, which I finished reading last night. And several CSI: NEW YORK episodes have had crimes set in Central Park. And the location is used in some stories by Rex Stout. So I can picture the size of the park even though I have never been there.
Back with more later.
Well Peacock is on my American Express bill twice. Once as Peacock and once as Roku. I foolishly took the yearly charge so I will probably have to resolve it rather than just cancel one. Once again Jerry has the most interesting life. So much about animals and mine is so little about it. Grateful for TV recs and book recs and computer recs. Just visited a friend, which reminded me how old we both were compared to our first meeting 40 years ago. Bad Shabbos was pretty bad to me but my friends liked it a lot more. I found it offensive but they found it familiar and funny. Funny how that can happen.
Waiting to see George's review of BACK TO THE FUTURE. It is coming here in the Fall.
Love Elizabeth Strout!
Re your Central Park question, Jackie looked it up and found that you CAN legally barbecue in Central Park, but ONLY on Memorial Day, July 4 or Labor Day. There are certain restrictions as to where you can do this and what kind of grill - old-fashioned charcoal, I believe. No gas grill.
Back again with what we have been watching and reading.
Watching ... MURDERBOT, and enjoying it. Now I am going to have to read the books again. (I still have books 5-7 to read.) Like Jeff, we have been watching and enjoying DEATH VALLEY and ART DETECTIVES.
We have been looking into how we can watch PROFESSOR T, starring Ben Miller, since we don't have PBS Masterpiece or Passport. We only heard about it recently.
Glen is still reading TEN YEARS IN THE TUB by Nick Hornby, but he is also reading a crime fiction novel, BLACK KARMA by Thatcher Robinson. Set in San Francisco's Chinatown.
I enjoyed THE BURGESS BOYS by Elizabeth Strout; it was not an easy read, but worth it. The characters were interesting, and the writing is very good. I think I liked it best of all the books I have read by Strout (OLIVE KITTERIDGE, MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, and ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE).
Bob Burgess is my favorite charter. He turns up again and again.
Tracy, I read all of those Nick Hornby collections of columns, and found plenty of interesting books to add to my list.
Jerry, all of your adventures in New Mexico sound great, especially the visits to the zoo. That was a long way to drive. I would not mind riding through the wonderful roadside scenery in Mississippi and Alabama. It has been 45 years since I have done that.
Jeff, I read one of the collections, THE POLYSYLLABIC SPREE, 20 years ago, and all I remember about it is that I enjoyed reading it. I will probably read TEN YEARS IN THE TUB after Glen is done with it.
As someone born in Fairbanks, I'm disappointed/angry with Lisa Murkowski for caving even when Susan Collins didn't. I have to wonder what they traded her for Alaska primarily...a state where the cost of living would make MedicAid a necessity for many.
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